The former Qwest building at the corner of 17th and Arapahoe Streets in Downtown Denver, which has been undergoing a complete renovation for many months, is set for a grand opening on June 11. The building has been renamed “1001 17th Street” and includes an entirely new retail plaza and grand pedestrian entrance facing 17th Street, replacing an old elevated plaza and windowless facade. Here’s what it used to look like:
Now, here’s the new 17th Street side of the block:
The project has been undertaken by Miller Global, which purchased the site from Qwest in 2006. I wasn’t able to get a good picture of it the other day when I took these shots, but the inside lobby of the new entrance looks pretty cool with seveal large art pieces being installed. Once the retail spaces have been all occupied, the whole complex will nicely enhance that stretch of 17th Street.
Imagine how hot the corner of 17th and Curtis would be if Shea Properties is able to complete their proposed 999 17th Street project, located immediately across Curtis Street from this project!
Does anyone know who the retail tenants might be in this building?
yes…quiznos corporate office is moving into the tower and they are having a "showcase" kitchen / restaurant in one of the glass cubes.
there is also an investment company.
there is also rumors of a small apple store.
At first I didn't think this would really mesh with the old Mountain Bell building, but I have to say it is a drastic improvement from what used to be there. An Apple store would be nice, but it really belongs on 16th Street.
999 17th, along with 1800 Market, the Embassy Suites and the W Hotel on 16th all would be great project to actually see get off the ground.
10 bucks says another Starbucks.
Looks like it'd be a great spot for a department store.
I've walked around the new plaza, and it seems very promising in terms of inviting people to linger and actually use the plaza instead of just walking past or through it. The space between the cubes and the building includes several seating-level ledges; that space also feels private because it's sort of tucked away, yet it feels visible and safe because of all the open glass. Of course, these aspects may feel different when the glass boxes are occupied. The open trellis overhead between the glass boxes makes for a nice combination of sun and shade (perhaps there will be outdoor restaurant seating there?). There's also an interesting element on the Arapahoe Street side, a series of mini-staircases, most of which seem not to lead to a door but just to a ledge or window; I couldn't decide if they were meant to invite sitting or were just decorative.
Office Depot should move there!
This new addition is pretty nice, although it doesn't seem like a particularly great use of the land. Was this height restricted, or did they just not want to block their own views? Anyway, it's a dramatic improvement over what was there, so I'm glad we've seen a handful of these renovation projects springing up over on that side of town.
On a side note, I'm praying to the Apple Gods for a store in the newly-renovated Fontius Building.
I'm praying to the fashion gods for a Barney's in the Frontius Building!
I noticed Office Depot is going to be opening a store in the building on the northwest corner of 8th and Broadway. I wonder if that's the new location for the store that's currently on the 16th Street Mall.
For a brief time I worked in the portion of the building that was torn down. It was a windowless bunker/cave that encouraged no life on the street. What a dramatic improvement this looks to be!
7:52 thats the corniest thing I've ever heard, besides we need a none outlet Kenneth Cole
While this project is nice and an improvement over what was there, it feels out of place to me. All those tall buildings around it, and then a bunch of 1 story cubes… Anywhere else but 17th and I dont think it would feel so out of place to me, but it just feels off…
how is a Barney's New York corny? I am a little confused…also, is there not a Kenneth Cole in Cherry Creek?